West Ham United pledge to support our hospitals

West Ham United Football Club have partnered with us to support our hospitals through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

With the Barts Heath hospitals serving the Club’s local population in East London, West Ham United have committed to a range of new community initiatives to benefit NHS staff and patients.

Historically, West Ham United have had strong ties with our hospitals – the players visit Newham Hospital’s children’s ward at Christmas, and have surprised staff at the hospital’s Open Day. As the NHS now faces the challenge of COVID-19, the Hammers are going even further and have created a programme of initiatives to give support and boost morale.

These include using the first opportunity at a match to promote and support our fundraising and celebrate NHS workers, donating shirts for patients and NHS staff who are fans of the Club, and giving special experiences for patients, their families, and NHS workers, to raise the spirits of those who have been through so much during the pandemic.

To kickstart this new partnership, defender Pablo Zabaleta, took time out to speak to Denis, a patient on the Thistle ward, who is a lifelong West Ham fan. This conversation really lifted Denis’ spirits whilst in the hospital, with Denis’ doctor saying that Pablo “made his day”.

Along with Barts Health NHS Trust, the Club will be supporting another local trust through the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity. West Ham United’s Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: “It is a privilege for the Club to be able to support Barts Charity, and King George and Queen’s hospitals, who are working on our doorstep in East London. NHS staff are tackling COVID-19 on the frontline every day and they are the true heroes in this, sacrificing so much in the process.

“Mobilising the Claret & Blue Army to get behind their appeals means we can say thank you in a number of ways, across a range of activities, and hopefully in the process we can brighten the days of many patients who are also in need of support. As soon as we are able to, we look forward to welcoming and celebrating our NHS heroes at London Stadium, giving them the recognition they deserve.”

We’re very grateful for West Ham United’s support and look forward to continuing our partnership in future.

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